Christmas is an occasion that brings families together. And maybe you’ve been the host trying to fit everyone in to save the expense of a motel. I know we’ve had situations where we’ve had the fold out sofa bed along with mattresses on the floor to try and accommodate family and friends. That’s what it’s like when families gather, the house overflows with people, and we make room.
Unfortunately for Mary and Joseph they didn’t have family put them up even though they had travelled to the town of their family of origin to register for the upcoming census. Maybe it was because word had gotten around about Mary being pregnant before she was married and that there were questions of paternity. But for Mary and Joseph there is further dilemma as Luke’s gospel tells us that Mary, “gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn – or what we would call today a motel.
How sad that the saviour of the world is born in a stable with no bed but a manger, which sounds sweet when we sing “away in a manger” but it’s just another word for a feed box for the animals. Where was their family? Bethlehem was Joseph’s ancestral home and most likely Mary’s. If Joseph had to go to Bethlehem, so would have his brother and sisters, father and mother. Surely some were still alive. Surely one of them could make room for Joseph and pregnant Mary. Anything would have been better than giving birth in a stable and having the new born baby sleeping in a feed box. They probably all had reason why they could not invite Mary, Joseph and Jesus into their homes.
As sad and as unusual as this sounds, sadly it still continues today, well for Jesus.There are still so many people – including people celebrating Christmas today that have no room for Jesus amid all the celebration. There are many who don’t realise that Christmas has the word Christ in it. Life is so hectic that there’s not much room for many extra things in our lives. Even faithful and loyal Christians can often feel quite guilty about their relationship with God because we don’t make room for him in our busy lives.
But have a look at what the Christmas message tells us. There was no room at the inn for Jesus but that didn’t stop God’s plan. Jesus was born, nonetheless. God took advantage of what was available rather than condemning what was not available. As John 3:17 tells us – God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him. And nothing would stop God’s plan from eventuating – whether it be “no room at the inn” or later when Herod sends out a decree to kill all infant boys in the hope of including Jesus among the dead children.
Likewise we need to remember that Christmas is about God coming to us in Jesus. And when we don’t have time or make room for Jesus – God always has time and room for us. For those who don’t have room in their heart for Jesus we remember that Jesus always has room in his heart for them. For God loved the world so much that he sent his one and only son to us.
As we remember this past Advent season –
Christmas is a time of HOPE – And St Paul says that hope will never disappoint us.
Christmas is a time of PEACE – a peace that St Paul says goes beyond our understanding. As the world around us seems to be filled with war, crime, violence and other catastrophes, Jesus says – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Christmas is a time of JOY – that even when the weight of the world comes crashing down around us, St Paul says that we can still “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
And Christmas is a time of LOVE But as I mentioned earlier, it’s not a love that is dependent on our love but as St John says: This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son – which really sums up the true Christmas spirit.
Christmas is truly a special time of the year that brings so much hope in our very challenging world. But we also need to remember that for many Christmas evokes different emotions. Those who are financially strained to be able to buy gifts for their children. Those who are grieving the loss of a loved one this Christmas – perhaps their first Christmas alone. Those who experience Christmas alone every year – who rely on soup kitchens for their fellowship and Christmas meal. Jesus has them also in his heart as he began his very life in the same way – alone – rejected.
But God brought Shepherds from the field – wise men from the East – angels from heaven even when the world rejected him. And he made a very solemn promise to us all – including the lost and lonely – “he will be called – Emmanuel – God is with us. May God be with you this Christmas as we again celebrate the amazing gift of God’s love to us in a baby born in a manger and each of our hearts today.
